Najib: We have to defend dignity, sovereignty

The prime minister says the all-out attack was a result of the failure of the government's soft approach.

KUALA LUMPUR: Security forces launched an offensive at 7am today against the armed intruders in Kampung Tanduo near Lahad Datu in Sabah, said Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

The prime minister said the government had to take appropriate action in the defence of the nation’s dignity and sovereignty as demanded by Malaysians after measures to avert bloodshed failed.

“Our security forces were attacked and killed. Malaysians, particularly those in Sabah, are worried about their safety,” he said in a statement here.

Najib said the armed intruders from the southern Philippines who claimed to be from the so-called Sulu army fired at policemen on duty in Lahad Datu last Friday, killing two of them, and then killed six more policemen in Semporna on the following day.

“After the first attack, I stressed that the intruders must surrender themselves or the security authorities will have to act,” he said.

Najib said that following the armed intrusion in Lahad Datu on Feb 12, the government adopted the approach of resolving the issue without bloodshed.

“The police held meetings and negotiations in the hope that the intruders would agree to leave peacefully without the need to take any serious legal action,” he said.

Najib said that Malaysia, as a peace-loving Islamic nation, wanted to resolve the issue through negotiation but the attempt to avert bloodshed in Lahad Datu failed.

“As the issue of the intrusion prolonged, it was evident to the authorities that the intruders had no intention of withdrawing from Sabah,” he said.

Meanwhile, in LAHAD DATU, Bernama reporter Haslin Gaffur reported having heard several explosions from the vicinity of Felda Sahabat 17, Kampung Tanduo, this morning.

He also reported seeing several armed forces fighter jets flying low over Felda Sahabat 16 at about 6.30 am.

“About 30 minutes later, we heard several explosions from the direction of Kampung Tanduo, located about 20 kilometres from here (Lahad Datu),” said Haslin who is staying at the Felda Residence Hotel in Felda Sahabat 16.

He said the explosions shook the hotel building and the windows vibrated strongly.

“Two Nuri helicopters also landed on a field in Felda Sahabat 16,” he said.